PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial increased rating for service-connected PTSD prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD with depression, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse was rated at 30 percent prior to April 9, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to reduced reliability and productivity in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD with a history of alcoholism was granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to October 16, 2014 and subsequently increased to 70 percent as of that date. The hearing loss ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his undiagnosed illness is rated at 20 percent. The combined rating of 80 percent does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximated that of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period prior to May 8, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent prior to July 18, 2013 and 70 percent since then. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective January 8, 2016. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating from September 23, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a VA examination. A new examination will be scheduled, and the claims file must be reviewed for proper consideration of his service connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service treatment records did not support his claims of in-service stressors, and thus denied his claim for service connection due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to address whether sleep apnea is related to service-connected PTSD and if so, whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by that condition. The Veteran's reports of in-service sleep problems and continuity of symptoms since service are also to be considered.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent since November 8, 2013. The effective date for the TDIU rating has been set as November 1, 2003.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, consisting of major depressive disorder and PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent. The VA examiner concluded that the combined effect of these conditions results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 11, 2013. The Board found that the disability picture warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals through his attorney.